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The Adobe or Rocky Mountain thistle (Cirsium perplexans) is listed as sensitive by both <br />the Forest Service and BLM. A review of habitat requirements for this species shows that <br />it occurs in adobe clays derived from Mancos shale, which are not found in the project <br />area. Also, all locations where this species has been found are below the elevation of this <br />project. <br />Slender cotton grass (Eriophorum gracile) is listed as sensitiveby the Forest Service. <br />Habitat conditions suitable for this species are lacking in the project area. <br />Management Indicator Species <br />Of the eight species listed as MIS by the GMUG, suitable habitat exists for three of these <br />species including elk, Red-naped sapsucker and Merriam's wild turkey. Only the red- <br />naped sapsucker was observed in the area during the surveys. These birds were discussed <br />above under findings. <br />DEER CREEK SHAFT PROJECT AREA <br />Deer Creek Shaft Site and Access Road Habitat Survey <br />The site is located in a transition aspen stand where trees are only about 40' tall and snags <br />are readily available. Understory vegetation consists of thick snowberry (Symphoricarpos <br />oreophilus), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and servicebeny (Amelanchier alnifolia). <br />Slope is 10-15% with an east north-east aspect at an elevation of 7570'. Aspen (Populus <br />tremuloides) and mountain shrub are found along the hillside where the access road will <br />be located. A Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) habitat type occupies the hillside east of <br />Deer Creek road, which is east of the drill site about 1000', and a stand of Douglas-fir <br />(Pseudotsuga menziesii) on 50-70% side-slopes, occupies a 5-10 acre area north north- <br />west of the planned shaft site. The Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek lies south of the location <br />an estimated 700 feet. Willows are abundant in this drainage. Minnesota Creek road <br />(FDR 711) runs between the Shaft site and the creek. There is a wetland area with a one <br />acre plus stand of large willows (Salix spp) along Deer Creek approximately 700 feet <br />west of Deer Creek. <br />